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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Role of Diffusion MRI Tractography in Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery
Published on: July 5, 2021
Quality of life analysis in patients with anterior skull base neoplasms
Carsten E Palme1, Jonathan C Irish, Patrick J Gullane
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Significant morbidity is associated with management of anterior skull base neoplasms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the posttreatment patient's quality of life (QOL).
Methods:
A retrospective chart review identified 27 patients. QOL tools included the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head & Neck, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Atkinson Life Happiness Rating (ALHR), and Midface Dysfunction Scale (MDS).
Results:
Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy was required in 16 and 2 patients, respectively. The median FACT, ALHR, and CES-D scores were 118 +/- 21, 9 +/- 2, and 17 +/- 8, respectively. Smell and nasal crusting disturbance was reported by 69% and 61%, respectively. CES-D > 16 and patients with recurrent disease correlated with a lower Total-FACT score. Adjuvant radiotherapy correlated with a lower FACT-H&N score. Patient sex, marital-status, pathology, surgical technique, or complication rate did not correlate with worse QOL.
Conclusion:
Anterior skull base neoplasms survivors have an overall acceptable QOL. Most complaints relate to MDS. Recurrence, adjuvant radiotherapy, and MDS had lower QOL scores.